Teen involved in vicious attack on homeless man who begged for mercy remanded on bail ahead of sentencing
“Stop, please, please I beg ye, please stop,” the victim, Declan Quinlivan, told the three-male gang as he lay on the ground weeping and groaning in pain, however the men continued kicking him multiple times about his head
A man who was part of a gang of "feral" Tipperary youths that kicked and punched a homeless man, over 100 times, in Limerick city, has been remanded on bail for sentencing.
“Stop, please, please I beg ye, please stop,” the victim, Declan Quinlivan, told the three-male gang as he lay on the ground weeping and groaning in pain, however the men continued kicking him multiple times about his head.
Aaron Holland, 19, with an address at Marian Road, Templemore, Co Tipperary, appeared for sentencing before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court today, after he previously pleaded guilty to one count of violent disorder, at the junction of Wickham Street/Thomas Street, Limerick City, on May 8, 2022.
READ MORE - Andy Cash given three separate life sentences for murdering sister and eight-year-old twins in Tallaght home
Judge Tom O’Donnell said it was a “very serious” case.
Prosecuting barrister, John O'Sullivan, said Holland and two others attacked and robbed the victim, Declan Quinlivan, (39), who was vulnerable and homeless at the time.
Holland, who was 17 at the time, and a 15-year-old male and a 20-year-old man, chased Mr Quinlivan before kicking and punching him 109 times as he lay on the ground unable to fight back. They also robbed him of cash, cigarettes and a mobile phone.
Mr O’Sullivan said the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed that the three accused be prosecuted on a charge of violent disorder as Mr Quinlivan had not made a formal statement to Gardaí about the assault and robbery which the court heard was captured on CCTV.
Garda Jason Walmsley, Roxboro Road Garda Station, Limerick, agreed with Mr O’Sullivan that Holland and the two other males, who are separately before the courts, were “feral youths” roaming the streets of Limerick City at 5.20am, when the early-morning unprovoked attack occurred.
Video footage of the horrific five-minute attack was played in its entirety in court today, which showed the three males chasing Mr Quinlivan before they repeatedly kicked and punched him as he pleaded with them to stop.
“Take what ye want lads, but please stop beating me,” Mr Quinlivan is heard on the CCTV recording.
The CCTV footage showed the three males briefly stop attacking Mr Quinlivan as a taxi drove passed the scene, however they immediately resumed kicking and punching him as soon as the taxi passed.
Mr Quinlivan was taken to University Hospital Limerick, but evidence of his injuries was not disclosed in court, and he did not make a victim impact statement.
Garda Walmsley and a colleague responded to the scene after Gardai received an anonymous call about the assault.
When they arrived on the scene they saw Mr Quinlivan with blood on his forehead, and a number of males gesturing and threatening him.
The two gardai pursued the males and arrested the 15-year-old and 20-year-old.
Holland managed to escape on foot and got a lift home to Templemore, Co Tipperary.
Gardai eventually caught up with Holland in October 2022 after he was identified via the CCTV footage.
Holland admitted everything to gardai, identified himself on the footage and acknowledged that Mr Quinlivan had been terrified during the unprovoked attack.
Holland was heard threatening Mr Quinlivan that he knew who he was and warned him not to make a complaint to gardai.
Judge Tom O’Donnell said the probation service were under pressure to prepare probation reports on accused persons, however he said it was a case that merited a report.
Holland, who was in court with his mother, has no convictions, the court heard.
He was remanded on continuing bail for a probation report and sentencing on June 19.
Related
Share this page
Guest Posts by Easy Branches
